In any case, the organization wants something done about the shortage of personnel “by not stimulating the extra demand”. Government reimbursement of tariffs also needs to be increased so that they are more in line with ‘effective cost pricing’. The industry also wants to simplify earnings-related benefits and reduce the possibility that parents will have to repay the money. The industry also wants childcare to become more accessible to children of non-working parents.
Free childcare
The Cabinet wants to make day care almost completely free for working parents. This should help parents work longer hours. However, two major advisory bodies, the Social and Cultural Planning Bureau and the Central Planning Bureau, made mincemeat out of it. According to the researchers, the plan hardly helps people work harder. Child care may also be more expensive for low-income people. The Child Care Branch Organization agrees with this criticism.
Shortage of places and staff
The sector organization had previously warned that childcare is already struggling with staff shortages and that there are therefore too few places for children. Furthermore, there are no childcare workers ready for the “new” children that would be added thanks to virtually free childcare. ‘Children have a right to better and loving childcare. Due to the shortage of fantastic staff, we cannot guarantee this at the moment,’ says director Emmeline Bijlsma. ‘Designing childcare in a completely different way requires special attention. The government’s plan will not solve the real problems, such as job and staff shortages. But better childcare accessibility hasn’t helped either.”
The advice is important
Over the summer months, Social Affairs Minister Karien van Gennip will review a number of important reports received on the renewal of the childcare system. The available advice, including the critical report from the Social and Cultural Planning Office and the Central Planning Office, are “valuable building blocks” for the design of the new system, according to the minister. After the summer, the Cabinet will announce how the new childcare system will be set up.